Targeted grafting of thermoresponsive polymers from a penetrative honeycomb structure for cell sheet engineering

Soft Matter. 2015 Oct 7;11(37):7420-7. doi: 10.1039/c5sm01769f. Epub 2015 Aug 13.

Abstract

Responsive membranes have been used to construct smart biomaterial interfaces. We report a novel approach to fabricate honeycomb films with a pattern of thermoresponsive polymer, namely poly(N-isopropylacrylamide). The approach was based on a combination of the breath figure method and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer. The hybrid film had morphological and chemical patterns resulting in varied wettability and morphology at various stages, as well as high thermo-responsiveness. Enhanced cell adhesion was observed at an incubation temperature of 37 °C, which is above its lower critical solution temperature (LCST). Furthermore, cells could be harvested at temperatures below the LCST without trypsin treatment. The non-invasive characteristics give this membrane potential as a substrate for cell sheet engineering.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acrylamides / chemistry*
  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects
  • HeLa Cells
  • Hot Temperature*
  • Humans
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Tissue Scaffolds / adverse effects
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry*
  • Wettability

Substances

  • Acrylamides
  • Polymers
  • N-isopropylacrylamide